Essay Questions

"The Washwoman, " Isaac Bashevis Singer "On Summer," Lorraine Hansberry "A Celebration of Grandfathers," Rudolfo Anaya

1. Respond: What quality of each essay is most admirable? Explain. > >
2. (a) Recall: How is the washwoman different from the Singer family? (b) Analyze: What causes Singer's mother to regard Gentiles as she does? > >
3. (a) Recall: On what occasion does Hansberry first visit her grandmother? (b) Compare and Contrast: How is Hansberry's grandmother different from the way Hansberry had imagined her to be? > >
4. (a) Recall: Who is the main subject of Anaya's essay? (b) Draw Conclusions: Why does Anaya title his essay "A Celebration of Grandfathers" instead of "A Celebration of My Grandfather"? > > >

1. If Singer had written "The Washwoman" as a persuasive essay, what opinion would he most likely have tried to get readers to accept? What makes you think that? > >
2. What changes would Hansberry's essay need in order to be considered a narrative essay? > > >

1. What personal views do each of the essays present? > >
2. Compare and contrast the different types of essays in this grouping. In your opinion, which essay's style most effectively conveys its message? > > >

1. What three adjectives do you think Hansberry might use to describe her grandmother? What three adjectives might she use to describe the woman from Maine? What makes you think that? > >
2. In what way are the essayists' attitudes toward their subjects similar? > > >